Solomon Islands soccer ambassador Gideon Omokirio and international player Junior Faárodo arrived back in the Solomon Islands after helping Hekari South United of Papua New Guinea win over Lautoka FC of Fiji on Sunday at Churchill Park in Fiji.
Accompanying them was their head coach Tommy Mana who got home to take a break before returning to PNG in the weekend.
Four other players Alick Maemae, Stanley Waita, Joachim Waroi and Benjamin Mela return to PNG with Hekari via Honiara yesterday.
The win had boosted the team's morale to win their final match against Marist FC in Honiara at the end of this month in order to top group B and proceed into the finals.
Mana after the win expressed excitement saying their plan had worked out well against Lautoka.
"I made it against Lautoka," he told the Solomon Star online.
The goal came from Junior Faarodo who scored the only goal in the 58th minutes of the match just after the kick off into the second half.
He found the net from a through pass from mid field then beat the last line of defence and placed the ball with his left foot just near the post.
"'The goal by Faárodo is a heart beating score. "
'We were waiting for the moment after the score, Lautoka got back to us with double pressure," Mana said.
Mana who is making his name with the PNG top club said they shut Lautoka down giving no room for them to maneuver.
"We close the heart of the team which is midfield. They are playing 5:3:2. Our game plan just work from the start. I am very familiar with Fijian style of football. "We attack them from the start and we didn't give them time to gain confidence over us. We stop all turns and passes from mid field," he said.
Mana said Gideon has controlled the defence well along with Maemae and Fa'arodo at the wings.
In the midfield both Waita and skipper David Muta took control of the game.
Mana said Lautoka front line couldn't function well because of that.
"Osea, former Ba striker was red carded 20mins into second half. He was frustrated. "We out clash them with our one two touch football and gain more possession of the ball which was exactly what we want.
"I think we got 70% in possession. The audience was satisfied with our performance. I gave credit to all my boys," he said.
Mana said with the win they are now a step away to the second leg and sit at the top of the table now.
News on
RSS 
